"South Beach - Miami"

gelatin silver print

titled, dated and signed (pencil) on verso

American photographer Mary Ellen Mark is one of the most important representatives of documentary photography of the late 20th century. Over several decades, she portrayed people on the margins of society as well as well-known personalities. Her work follows in the tradition of street photography, in which chance and unpredictability play a central role. In her images, she succeeds in capturing fleeting and spontaneous moments that often occur in a fraction of a second. This is also the case in South Beach – Miami, where the unexpected interplay of light, weather, and gestures enriches the composition of the image and intensifies the atmosphere.
In numerous photographs, Mary Ellen Mark focuses on everyday life in the United States, far removed from glamour and ideals, for example in the series In America. The photograph shown here was taken in 1986 during a trip through Florida, in South Beach, a district of Miami. Today, South Beach is best known for its beautiful beaches, celebrities, wealthy visitors and vibrant nightlife. In the 1980s, however, the area was characterized by economic decline, high crime rates, and structural decay. It was not until the late 1980s and especially in the 1990s that a targeted redevelopment began, transforming South Beach into the glamorous place we know today.
The older man poses for the camera in front of the deserted beach. The low sun casts long, harsh shadows and makes him stand out sharply from the background in his light-colored suit, while dramatic clouds gather above him. The scene appears deliberately staged and theatrical, matching the impression that the man is dressed up.
(Christoph Fuchs, translated by deepL)